Mike Ashley was at Wembley yesterday when it looked like Newcastle were going to get a draw in the game against Tottenham.
But a late Dubravka error after 83 minutes allowed South Korean International Son to score and we lost the game 1-0.
But our lads defended like their lives depended on it so no complaints at all about the attitude and commitment of our players; in fact, it’s always a joy to watch them be so committed for the shirt.
But we still need the points with Cardiff beating Bournemouth 2-0 yesterday and gaining 3 points on us.
Newcastle were better on the counter-attack and had some chances and Rondon hit the post with a great header in the second half.
Rafa Benitez gesticulates on the touchline at Wembley yesterday
The Mirror is reporting today that Newcastle owner Mike Ashley feels like Rafa Benitez should now sign a new deal to stay at Newcastle.
But Rafa will still need some changes made at Newcastle before he signs.
The way we do transfers has to change drastically.
We need to be much quicker in our dealings for new players and bring them in much earlier in the transfer window.
And Rafa wants more authority on which players can come into the club – and they need to include older players if that’s what the boss deems necessary.
For Rafa to sign a new deal, Mike Ashley must loosen his grip on transfers and spend more money on players.
Ashley seems to expect the £20.5M signing of Miguel Almiron last Thursday to be the reason why Rafa will now sign a new long term deal to stay at Newcastle.
While we hope that’s what happens, Rafa still wants things changed at the club, and we don’t want Ashley to keep up his miserly ways.
But that’s what may happen.
The report is that Ashley wants Rafa to commit to Newcastle in the next six weeks.
The deal with Almiron was a catch 22 – Rafa wouldn’t commit his future until Ashley showed he is willing to spend big money on good players.
Ashley didn’t want to spend big money until he got an assurance from Rafa that he would stay long term at the club.
Ashley will offer Rafa a three-year deal and promises that he will fund Rafa in the coming summer transfer window.
The deal will also include lucrative bonuses for Rafa if he is successful with Newcastle.
That may not be enough for Rafa, but he’s certainly a lot happier now than a week ago at this time after we had lost to Watford.
We’ll see what happens, but from Rafa’s viewpoint, only a three-year deal rather than the five-year deal offered last summer makes more sense because Ashley is still the owner.
The biggest block to Rafa signing is the owner himself.
The last three years have been trying for the manager – because of Ashley’s intransigence, frugality, and general stubbornness.
And remember – a leopard can’t change its spots.
Comments welcome.
13 comments so far
Bambams
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:32 AM
Comment #1Ed
I can’t see how Ash will change his ways, too long set in his money grabbing ways.
Rafa knows this I would imagine.
Simple question to put to Ash (especially after suggestions it’s a Barclays bank loan forAlmiron), Where is all the money ?
toonbrother
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:34 AM
Comment #2“That will allow Matt Ritchie to switch back to his more natural position on the wing – probably to the exclusion of Christian Atsu”
HAHAHA such wishful thinking
It amazes me how one can run a football blog and know so little about football
FYI Atsu has not been played on the wings in Rafa’s 5-3-2/4-5-1 formation
He has been more of an attacking midfielder
Atsu’s place in the team is under threat from Almiron not Ritchie
Ritchie will probably end up on the bench. As a right winger he was a disaster. Zero Assists. Zero forward passes. Zero dribbles.
As a wingback he was passable but still not good enough for premier league level
Barrecca’s arrival hopefully ends his run as a first team player
Jib
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:37 AM
Comment #3Most fans last Monday
would have gladly taken 3 points
from a home game v Manchester City
and away to Tottenham Hotspur
Jib
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:38 AM
Comment #4Sean Longstaff has played all but 10 minutes of seven
games in the space of 29 days,covering more ground than
any player on either team in each of his first four PL starts !!!!!
lesh
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:41 AM
Comment #5Jazzy, Bambams
And Bishop’s got the press waxing lyrical at Ashley agree to Rafa’s demands and £21m to break record signing and because of that Rafa should feel grateful and sign up for more.
Yup, he’s given Rafa £21m to spend … £6m less than what we’ll get for Mitro and we should be jumping through hoops? Oh yes, thank you thank you thank you Mr Ashley
Jib
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:45 AM
Comment #6Lesh
Last week you predicted a thrashing off Man City and Spurs
and no incomings – you need a new crystal ball.
Bianconeri
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:46 AM
Comment #7After reading one of the links from here I found this gem.It’s the True Geordie podcast with Ian Wright,if you haven’t seen/listened to it it’s worth an hour of your time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vwwo34INBU&t=3030s
toonbrother
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:48 AM
Comment #8We just acquired a long-term Rafa target and broke a longstanding transfer record in doing so
But some still want to moan and obsess about Ashley
Just goes to show Plebs love a bogeyman
Someone they can blame for their problems in life
Complaining about Ashley provides some modicum of comfort
If he sells I suspect these fans would be more miserable
Jib
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:53 AM
Comment #9toonbrother
First time I’ve hearted one of your comments
😀
Diddly
Feb 3, 2019 at 9:56 AM
Comment #106 weeks how can this be true we won’t know which league we will be in at that stage.
Lindisfarne
Feb 3, 2019 at 10:04 AM
Comment #11Just watched Wolves and we are going to have just as tough a game as our last two. Shearer highlighted their use of WB keeping very wide and switching play. To a certain extent that plays into Rafas hands, as long as Ritchie/Barrecz & Yedlin are strong defensively and our midfield is not over run by their three.
Ffsashley
Feb 3, 2019 at 10:05 AM
Comment #12Toonbrother easily pleased fool you are
jordijohnty
Feb 3, 2019 at 10:59 PM
Comment #13Seeing as how Almiron was targetted back in november, I can understand rafas frustration with the running of this club. He wont be eligible to play until the 11th february. Defend that incompetence